The Easy Way To Clean Your Coffee Maker Using Vinegar

Your daily routine wouldn't be complete without that comforting cup of coffee from your trusty drip coffee maker. It faithfully brews your morning pick-me-up every day, but when was the last time you thought about giving it a little TLC? Believe it or not, your coffee maker can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold due to its warm and moist environment. However, there's a simple and natural solution that can keep it in pristine condition: distilled white vinegar.

To begin the cleaning process, you'll need around 4 cups of distilled white vinegar. This type of vinegar is recommended for its flavorless and pure properties, making it perfect for cleaning without tainting your next batch of coffee. Start by pouring the vinegar into the coffee maker's water reservoir. This is where most of the residue and build-up accumulate, and the vinegar's natural cleaning properties will work their magic. Allow the vinegar to sit in the reservoir for at least 30 minutes.

During this time, the vinegar will kill off any bacteria or mold growth. After the soak, turn your coffee maker on and run it as if you were brewing a pot of coffee. The vinegar will then pass through and clean the machine's inner components. Once the vinegar has run through the machine, rinse the reservoir thoroughly with fresh water and run water through the coffee maker at least three times. This will guarantee a fresh and untainted brew the next time you use it.

Read more: Ina Garten's 12 Best Cleaning Tips For A Mess-Free Kitchen

Why Is Distilled White Vinegar The Best Cleaning Agent?

It might surprise you to learn that your coffee maker can be a hidden source of germs. Due to its warm and moist environment, coffee makers provide the ideal conditions for bacterial and mold growth. Even though they are self-contained appliances, they can still be a breeding ground for these unsavory microscopic intruders. Luckily, they can be killed by vinegar, but the choice of vinegar for cleaning your coffee maker is important.

Distilled white vinegar works best because it is nearly flavorless and is also highly pure. This means that, when used for cleaning, it won't leave behind any unpleasant aftertaste or otherwise affect the flavor of your coffee. It's an ideal solution for ensuring that the residue of the past doesn't interfere with the flavor of the future. Vinegar is also a natural cleaning agent that's both safe and effective. It breaks down mineral deposits, coffee oils, and other residues that can build up inside your coffee maker over time.

By using vinegar, you're not only eliminating germs but also enhancing the taste of your coffee. It's crucial to give your drip coffee maker the attention it deserves to keep it in tip-top shape and avoid potential health hazards. That means a regular monthly cleaning with distilled white vinegar, as well as daily -- or at least weekly -- cleaning of the coffee pot and grounds cup, if removable, with soap and water to remove any lingering build-up there. Embrace a clean machine and enjoy a better brew.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.